Light Source and Lens Cleaner for Laparoscopic Surgery

Abstract

An intraperitoneal cleaner to allow cleaning of a scope lens used in minimally invasive surgery is presented. Using existing super elastic alloys in combination with a standard spring, a purely mechanical cleaning action is provided, eliminating the reservoirs, vacuum pumps, or extra ports found in other cleaner designs. The scope body is inserted into the device prior to commencement of surgery, and the wiper of the cleaner rests just outside of the field of view of the lens of the scope. When debris or fluid obscures the field of view, a spring in the handle is compressed, allowing the cleaner to flex and provide a cleaning action.A cordless laparoscopic light source using LEDs and a pair of aspherical condensing lenses to focus the resulting light to a usable point is presented. By using battery power, the entire device is considerably smaller than the current xenon light source standard. Additionally, fiber optic cords which restrict movement have been eliminated, and the inherent fire risk from a xenon source has been removed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not Applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OF DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]In the field of minimally invasive surgery, visibility is a paramount requirement. However, due to the small size of the objective lenses (less than one centimeter) any droplet of liquid or moisture, or piece of tissue results in a dramatic compromise of the field of view. Currently the accepted solution is to pause the procedure, withdraw the scope, and clean the lens by hand prior to reinsertion.[0005]Clearly this time consuming process is out of place in a cutting edge operating room, and an intraperitoneal cleaner has long been sought after. Numerous prior attempts employed fluid sprays, vacuum suctions, or cleaners introduced into the surgical area via a secondary port in the patient's abdomen, n...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Our cleaning invention is a disposable intraperitoneal cleaner for scopes used in minimally invasive surgery. It slides on over the body of the scope, orienting a dual position wiper in the plane of, and in contact with, the lens, and an actuator on the proximal end, exterior to the patient. By moving a slide or depressing a button on the actuator, the wiper is allowed to move between positions, and in the process, removes fluid and debris from the lens. The wiper is constructed of super elastic material, so that it can deform between orientations numerous times without breakage, and the deformation imparts sufficient force to be an effective cleaning element.

[0009]Unlike the majority of the patents cited above, our device attaches to the scope itself, removing the need for additional ports, and operates mechanically, removing the need for sprays and suctions (and therefore reservoirs and pumps).

[0010]Our light invention is a battery operated array of high intensity LEDs focused with a novel dual short focal length lens system to consolidate the light and deliver it to a short segment of fiber optic that will attach to the existing light terminals on scopes in the market today. The weight of the batteries will be distributed in such a way that the center of gravity is on the scope body, thus providing ease of motion and balance during extended procedures.

Problems solved by technology

However, due to the small size of the objective lenses (less than one centimeter) any droplet of liquid or moisture, or piece of tissue results in a dramatic compromise of the field of view.

Clearly this time consuming process is out of place in a cutting edge operating room, and an intraperitoneal cleaner has long been sought after.

Numerous prior attempts employed fluid sprays, vacuum suctions, or cleaners introduced into the surgical area via a secondary port in the patient's abdomen, none of these devices found meaningful market acceptance.

Currently xenon light sources are common and sufficient, however they are extremely expensive, large, loud, and in certain situations, present a fire hazard in the operating room.

Additionally, the fiber optic delivery cable can severely limit mobility during a procedure.

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